The massive worldwide attention on the first summit between President Xi and President Obama, on June 7-8 in California, underlines the growing prominence of China in world affairs. While there is an extensive summit agenda, from tackling regional problems in Asia, to alleged Chinese bilateral cyber-attacks, Xi reportedly has a broader desire to fundamentally redevelop […]
Diplomatic firestorm and foreign policy
Google unintentionally sparked a diplomatic row earlier this month following its decision to change the name on its ‘Palestinian territories’ homepage to ‘Palestine’. The move, which Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas reportedly called a “victory for Palestine and a step toward its liberation”, provoked immediate complaint to the firm from Israeli Deputy Foreign Minister Zeev Elkin. […]
Romneys vice-presidential pick: crucial next decision
With polls indicating this year’s race for the White House will be highly competitive, the key decision Mitt Romney has to make before the Republican presidential convention in August is his choice of running mate. Wide-ranging candidates are being touted in the media, including US Senators Marco Rubio and Rob Portman, Governors Mitch Daniels and […]
Obamas re-election hopes rise
As the Republican nomination contest ends, Mr Obama emerges as a moderate favourite for re-election. Following the departure of Rick Santorum from the presidential field, Mitt Romney has now effectively won the Republican nomination to challenge Barack Obama in November. The presidential election season thus now moves to the next phase between now and the […]
US campaigns and elections: shaping world politics
The eyes of much of the Asia-Pacific region will this coming year be on the US presidential and congressional elections as the Democrats and the Republicans fight it out for control of the White House, the US House of Representatives, and the US Senate. The ballots could have key implications not just for US domestic […]
Will 2012 be Gingrichs year?
The 2012 US election season begins on January 3 when Iowa becomes the first state to hold contests to decide who will be the Democratic and Republican presidential candidates in November. While Barack Obama will be re-nominated as the Democratic contender, the Republican race’s outcome is much more uncertain. Most recently, Newt Gingrich has surged. […]